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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-06 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutesof Reading eting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Human Relations Advisory Committee Date: 2022-01-06 Time: 7:30 Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version: Attendees: Members - Present: TGCLERK READ!NG, MA. Rk 2022 APR 12 PM 1:45 Sherilla LeStrade, Carolyn Whiting, Carolyn Johnson, Allyson Dowds, Ashley Gross, Sgt. Patrick Silva Members - Not Present: Danielle DiVirgilio, Kyung Yu Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ashley Gross Topics of Discussion: Meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee, January 6, 2022, 7:30 PM Via Zoom Called to order at 7:40 PM. -During February the library is starting a be an activist program that teaches children/teens about topics such as book bans. Library working with We the People, a local group in Boston, for programming at the library. 1/6/22 Meeting started at 19:40 Present: Sherilla, Carolyn Johnson, Carolyn Whiting, Allyson Dowds (RPL), Ashley Gross, Patrick Silva No public input Sherilla welcomed Patrick Silva to HRAC Police report Patrick Silva: Settling into his new role as Civil Rights Officer. Looking for feedback on what we'd like him to report as HRAC specifically and the town in general. He's created a town page for Civil Rights and is looking for feedback on what he can and should report on while maintaining the privacy of parties involved. No new hate based incidents or hate crimes to report. Ashley: What is a hate crime versus a hate based incident? l ` i ? k 2 of Reading °,,,, eting Minutes Patrick: According to Massachusetts AG guidance, a hate crime must be targeted at a particular person or specific group of people, otherwise it is a hate incident. Sherilla: How should we submit feedback? Sherilla will talk to previous chairs about what has been reported in the past. Library report -First round of interviews for DES] position has begun. -The library has had to cancel in person programming due to COVID. -Library is developing a community resource page sharing information on topics such as voter registration, community health, diversity equity and inclusion. Carolyn Johnson would like to hear feedback from the community to Pat and Ally. Post mortem of Social Sherilla: there was a good turnout MLK day The high school is not able to host a breakfast due to COVID Sherilla wants to share a previous video on Reading citizens discussing community, and possibly include some additional related videos such as a local librarian reading a related story. Sherilla would like to eventually host a breakfast with a guest speaker and student presentations at the high school. Chinese New Year -Post some material to the HRAC page about Chinese New Year -Pass on some resources on Chinese New Year and Holocaust Remembrance Day to the Superintendent to distribute. Ashley will put together some resources on Chinese New Year, Carolyn Johnson will put together some resources on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Black History Month -Library is doing some programming for Black History Month called the Right to Liberty, a storytelling presentation aimed at grades 3-5. -Library is working on an event with NAGLY to have an event at the library in February World Social Justice Day 2/20 Sherilla would like to do an event on the common for World Social Justice Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day. Pat recommended using the cobblestone space in front of Town Hall. Meeting minutes approval delayed to next meeting Other Fage 1 2 of Reading sting Minutes Carolyn Johnson wants to know how to organize an event on the common. Pat said it's fairly quick to work with the police to organize an event. Sherilla will look into how to hold an event especially given COVID. Ashley suggested sharing RPD and library resources on our facebook page, Ally will send us events. Next meeting: Thursday February 30 Sherilla moves to adjourn Pat Silva seconds, HRAC votes to adjourn. Page 1 3